21 January 2016	ITEM: 6
Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Fly Tipping & Fly Posting within the Borough (including an update on Cory Wharf)
Wards and communities affected: All	Key Decision: N/A
Report of: Gavin Dennett, Environmental Health and Trading Standards Manager
Accountable Head of Service: Lucy Magill, Head of Residents Services
Accountable Director: David Bull, Director of Planning and Transportation
This report is Public

Executive Summary

The number of fly tips in the borough so far this financial year is 1785 this is a 22.5% increase on the comparable period for last year. It has not been possible to provide an accurate figure for the amount of money spent by the Environment Department this year in clearing fly tips as some work is outstanding but this figure will be circulated to the committee members when known, however the cost to the Council for clearing the site at Cory’s Wharf in Purfleet was in the region of £110k.

1.	Recommendation(s)

1.1	The committee are asked to note the update on the number of fly tips reported in the borough and the action taken to deal with this issue.

2.	Introduction and Background

2.1	This update report was requested by members in October 2015

2.2	This report shows a continuing trend towards increasing reports of fly tips in Thurrock .

2.3	The increase in reports of fly tipping has resulted in an increase in demand for investigation of fly tips and where feasible the instigation of legal proceedings against perpetrators.

3.	Issues, Options and Analysis of Options

3.1	To date this year 9 prosecutions for fly tipping related offences have been concluded. Of these 7 relate to the previous large scale fly tip at Cory’s Wharf. 3 further fly tipping prosecutions are due to be heard in court in early 2016.

3.2	The increase in the number of prosecutions for fly tipping this year has resulted from two factors, the prioritisation of fly tipping follow up in preference to investigation of other forms of environmental crime by our officers and the increasingly proactive use of camera footage, both from council cameras and those deployed at private sites around the borough to collect evidence.

3.3	The site at Cory’s Wharf has been cleared of the rubbish fly tipped and is due to be redeveloped in the future.

3.4	The Council have provided land ownership details for all council sites to the Police as part of ongoing work to facilitate police intervention to combat unauthorised encampments and dumping on council land.

4.	Reasons for Recommendation

4.1	To inform the members on the position and provide information for debate on this issue among members as appropriate.

5.	Consultation (including Overview and Scrutiny, if applicable)

5.1	No consultation was undertaken on this report

6.	Impact on corporate policies, priorities, performance and community impact

6.1	The issues discussed in this report impact on the Councils priority to “Promote and protect our clean and green environment”

7.	Implications

7.1	Financial

Implications verified by:	Mike Jones

Management Accountant

There are no direct financial implications in this report

7.2	Legal

Implications verified by:	Adam Rulewski

Barrister

The legal implications are contained within the body of this report, this report is for noting only.

7.3	Diversity and Equality

Implications verified by:	Natalie Warren

Community Development and Equalities Manager

This report updates on the Councils response to fly tipping throughout Thurrock. In assessing this problem we recognise our responsibility with regard to the Equality Act 2010 and will seek to work positively and proactively to ensure all communities are aware of both their rights and responsibilities.

7.4	Other implications (where significant) – i.e. Staff, Health, Sustainability, Crime and Disorder)

Fly tipping is a criminal offence. It follows that where residents see the act or results of fly tipping it can be seen as evidence of increased criminal activity and according raise the fear of crime. This can have an impact on perceptions of safety and the use of public space.

8.	Background papers used in preparing the report (including their location on the Council’s website or identification whether any are exempt or protected by copyright):

No background papers were used in the preparation of this report.

9.	Appendices to the report

None

Report Author:

Gavin Dennett

Environmental Health and Trading Standards Manager

Residents Services